Big changes for Veterans Day Parade in downtown Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH — There are some big changes this year to a fantastic Pittsburgh tradition.

The 93rd Annual Veterans Day Parade will still be downtown, but the route will be different than in years past. Also, the event will be held on Saturday this year as opposed to the actual holiday date, which is Sunday.

Things get going on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at the intersection of Grant Street and Liberty Avenue in downtown Pittsburgh. The new route will proceed down Liberty before turning left onto Stanwix Street and then right onto the Boulevard of the Allies.

The Pittsburgh Veterans Day Parade is one of the largest in the nation. This year, it pays special tribute to military personnel who have served in the Middle East since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks --  and their families.

"Let's line Liberty Avenue and show our appreciation for the western Pennsylvania men and women, and their families, who have bravely served in the Middle East since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks," Pennsylvania Auditor General Jack Wagner said.

Several Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans, who are now enrolled as students at local colleges, will be among those marching in the parade.

Also featured in this year's parade will be an eight-wheeled Stryker vehicle and military Humvees; a 30-foot American flag displayed on Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire ladder trucks; the Soldiers and Sailors Drum Corp Band; the Pittsburgh Firefighters Memorial Bag Pipe Band; nearly two dozen area high school marching bands; local color guards and military service organizations; and Iceburg, the Pittsburgh Penguins' mascot.

WPXI